Why we are using brass fitting in plumbing?

What is brass?

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The proportions of copper and zinc make brass different mechanical properties. Brass is bright, relatively easy forging, and durable. It is often used in gears, locks, bearings, bullet casings, plumbing (like brass fitting), and musical instruments.

Why is Brass Suitable for Plumbing?

1. Easy Processing

Brass has a low melting point of about 900 to 940 °C and is easily melted. Brass is more malleable than steel or iron. It is susceptible to be bent, shape or mold than other metals. This makes it easier to cast into fittings of different sizes and shapes for plumbing. It means lower cost!

2. Germicidal and Antimicrobial

A large number of observations and studies have shown that the brass surface is antimicrobial. Copper and copper alloys that kill a variety of harmful microorganisms within minutes to hours of contact. Some studies have shown that regularly cleaned brass kill more than 99.9% of disease-causing bacteria within 2 hours. So why would we not use it in plumbing?

3. Durability

Brass is corrosion resistant. It is well known that corrosion and rust are the two main factors affecting the life of metals. Therefore, it’s related to the life of metal that how to resist corrosion and rust. Fortunately, brass does not corrode or rust even in worst corrosive water.

In particular, when arsenic or tin is added to the brass, the brass will become dezinc-resistant brass. It will have more corrosion resistant and a longer service life. It is widely used in potable water fittings. Dezincification resistant brass is also known as brass c352 or DZR (in United Kingdom) or DR (in Australia).